Playground apparatus.



M. B. REACH.

PLAYGROUND APPARATUS.

APPLIGATION FILED MAR. 18, 1910.

1,126,082, Patented Jan. 26, 1915.

Irv/@2222?" fl/ZZZZI? Z3. Ema/5. 1%, 1 @MM 7% arnnr rp MILTON 1B. REACH, OF CHICOPIEE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO A. G. SPALDING & BROS. MANUFACTURING 00., OF CHICOPEE, MASSACHUSETTS.

PLAYGROUND APPARATUS Application filed March 18, 1910.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MILTON B. REACH, citizen of the United States, residing at Chicopee, Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Playground Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to oh ldrens playground apparatus, and the ob ect thereof is to provide a Well supported, compactly arranged, and economical frame which Wlll occupy but a minimum of space, and a large number of diversified exercising devices, the frame and said devices being so coordinated that substantially all exercising movements will occur in the same or parallel planes, thereby reducing to the minimum the likelihood of collision between the children using the apparatus, and permitting of the simultaneous use of a maximum number of the devices Without substantial interference.

The invention comprises the features of construction and combination and arrangement of parts tobe hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

A preferred exemplification of the lnvention is disclosed in the accompanying drawing.

In this particular embodiment of my 1nvention, the apparatus comprises a mam bar 1 supported at its ends by standards 2 and inclined braces 4 and intermedlate of its ends by standards 3. At opposite ends of the bar 1 and spaced therefrom and disposed in parallel relation thereto are sets, or pairs of relatively short companion bars 7 A transverse bar 5 is associated with each set, or pair, of bars 7, and extends perpendicularly in relation thereto and to the bar 1, and is connected at its ends to the middle portions of the bars 7, and intermediate of its ends, by a fitting 6, to the bar 1 a dlstance from the extremity thereof. The bars 7 are herein shown as supported at their ends by vertical members 8 and inclined braces 9.

The illustrated embodiment of my invention includes a supplemental angular frame 5' extending outwardly from each standard 2 and including a vertical leg and a horizontal portion connected at its end to the adjacent bar 2, and providing a fulcrum for a pair of teeter ladders 19. Uprights 14 are secured at their upper ends to one of the bars 7, and provide in conjunction with the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 26, 1915. Serial No. 550,104.

vertical bars 8 associated with said bar 7 suitable supports for horizontal-bars l3, 13. With the companion bar 7 inclined poles 15, a flexible ladder 16, and a vertical ladder and inclined slide 18 are associated. WVith one of the other bars 7 is associated inclined poles 15, a vertical ladder 16, and an inclined ladder l7, and with the companion bar 7 1s associated an inclined ladder 17, a vertical ladder, and an inclined slide 18. As herein shown, each cross bar 5 has associated therewith exercising devices spaced substantially uniform distances apart, these devices comprising traveling rings 12 which, in use, move substantially in a direction parallel to the bar 5. lVith the bar 1 is assoeiated diversified exercising devices which, in use, move in a direction transverse to the bar 1 and parallel to the bar 5. As herein shown, the latter devices comprise a trapeze 10, and three sets of flying rings 11. All of the principal parts of the described frame and supporting standard and braces are preferably formed of standard steel or wrought iron pipe.

As will be noted, the characteristic features of the described frame and exercising devices are that the horizontal supporting members of the frame are of minimum length with reference to the number of exercismg devices, and the frame and such devices are so arranged that substantially all exercising movements occur in the same or parallel planes, thus admitting of the use of all of the same, or a maximum number thereof, without likelihood of collision occurring between the users thereof.

It will be understood that it is not essential to a structure embodying certain of the essential features of my invention that two cross bars 5 and associated companion bars 7 shall be used, or that-the cross bar 5 shall be located adjacent the end of the main bar 1, since, as is obvious, one of the bars 5, with the cross bars 7 and associated parts, may be dispensed with, and the other cross bar 5 may be connected to the main bar 1 at or adjacent the middle thereof. Neither is it essential in one form of my invention that the companion bars 7 shall be employed. The construction, however, illustrated in the accompanying drawing discloses the preferred embodiment of my invention and pos sesses to a high degree the advantages inherent therein.

I claim as my invention 1. A playground exercising apparatus, comprising a frame including bars crossing each other at right angles, and means at the ends of the bars for supporting the same in a horizontal elevated position, and diversified exercising devices associated with the bars, the devices associated with one of said bars being spaced substantially uniform distances apart from end to end of the bar and moving in use in a direction substantially lengthwise thereof, and the devices associatedwith the other bar being spaced apart along the length thereof and requiring exercising movements in directions substantially crosswise thereof and parallel to the other bar, whereby all of the exercising movements take place in parallel planes.

2. A playground exercising apparatus comprising a main bar, a pair of companion bars shorter than the main bar and arranged parallel to and spaced apart therefrom, a transverse bar associated With the companion bars and extending in a direction per pendicularly thereto and to the main bar and connecting the middle portions of the companion bars to each other and to the main bar a distance from its end, means for supporting the bars in an elevated horizontal position, and diversified exercising devices coordinated with said bars to require the exercising movements thereon to take place in substantially the same or parallel planes.

3. A playground exercising apparatus comprising a main bar, two pairs, or sets, of companion bars, the companion bars bein shorter than the main bar, and the mem ers of one set being spaced apart and arranged parallel to one end portion of the main bar, and the members of the other set being spaced apart and arranged parallel to the opposite end portion of the main bar, a transverse bar associated with each se of companion bars and extending in a direction perpendicular thereto and to the main bar and connecting the middle portions of said companion bars to each other and to the main bar a distance from its end, means for supporting the bars in an elevated horizontal position, and diversified exercising devices coordinated with the bars to require all of the exercising movements thereon to take place in substantially the same or in parallel planes.

4. A playground exercising apparatus comprising a main bar, companion bars arranged parallel to and spaced apart from the main bar, a transverse bar associated with the companion bars and extending in a direction perpendicularly thereto and to the main bar and connecting the middle portions of the companion bars to each other and to the main bar a distance from its end, means for supporting the bars in an elevated horizontal position, diversified exercising devices coordinated with said bars to require the exercising movements thereon to take place in substantially the same or parallel planes, and an additional supporting member arranged in the vertical plane of the main bar and including avertical leg and a horizontal portion, and a teeter ladder fulcrumed upon thehorizontal portion, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MILTON B. REACH.

Witnesses C. H. KILPATRIGK, BEATRICE BARTLETT. 

